Bumper for automobiles



Feb. 27, 119230 v v 11,446,7(98 4 O c D. KUNKEL' I BUMPER FOR AUTOMOBILES Filed Ma 2 9., 1922 1 N VEN TOR.

ATTORNEYS.

COOER DAVE KUNKEL,

OF IPTULASKI, VIRGINIA.

BUMPER FOR AUTOTJIOBILES.

Application filed May 29,

To (all w/mm if m/lg come/w:

lie it known that l. Coornn D. KUNKEL. a. citizen of the l nited States. residing at Pulaski. in the county of Pulaski and State of Virginia. have invented certain new and useful lnu rovements in Bumpers for Automobiles: and I do declare the following to be a full. clear. and exact description of the invention. such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it a-ppertains to make and. use the same.

This invention relates to improvements on devices sometimes known as fenders, but now commonly referred to bumpers.

The principal object of the invention is to generally improve upon. devices of this class by producing one of comparative simplicity and durability which is practical, effective in operation, strong and durable and inexpensive to manufacture.

More specifically. itis another object of the invention to provide an improved bumper embodying a pneumatic cushion provided wlth a rib which is received between the flanges ot a supporting rim. to-

gether with novel means for assisting in connecting these parts together.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent during the course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification and in' which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same:

Figure l is a top plan view of a bumper constructed in accordance with this invention.

Figure 2 is a horizontal section with parts in elevation.

Figure 3 is an enlarged transverse section taken on the line 3-30f Fig. 2.

In the drawings. the numeral l'represents a pneumatic cushion which-embodies a rubher casing 2 in which an "air tube 3 is placed. The casing split to permit insertion and removal of the tube and it is equipped at its abuttingedges with lateral extensions or beads 4 which when brought together provide a: rib. These heads 4 as shown. are gradually increased in thickness towards their free edges. and they are intended to be clamped bet-ween the flanges 5 of a. supportingrim. Although this rim could be of some other construct-ion. it is preferably composed ct duplicate sections comprising aforesaid fianges,'each of which is pro- 1922. Serial no. 564,49'2.

vided with a lateral and inwardly directed portion 6. As seen more clearly in the cross sectional view. these portions 6 are beveled toward their tree edges and are arranged in overlapping relation. its also shown here, the portions 6 are disposed at an acute angle with respect to the flanges and when they 'are arranged in such overlapping:- relation, the free edges of the flanges are taused to diverge and to effectively and tightly bind against the inclined faces'of the aforesaid beads. t may be conveniently stated here that these beads and the flanges are formed with alined openings to permit passage of the clamping bolts 7. It may be further stated that the sections of the rim at their outer ends are decreased in size or beveled indicated at 8 and these beveled ends are received in pockets 9 integral with the op posite ends of the aforesaid casing. It is obvious that with this arrangement, the

cushion and run are effectively secured to gether and held against relative longitudi nal shifting. As is understood. the inner tube 3 will be equipped with, the usual inflation valve 10 and. the overlapping portions 6 of the rim will beslotted or formed with openings to accommodate this valve. Furthermore, while it is notessential, a substantially U-shaped reinforcing clip 11 will be provided. in practice and will be placed on the intermediate portion of the rim to secure rigidity at this. point and to decidedly strengthen the device at a point which is more likely to be subjected to pressure and strain in the event that the machine on which the bumper is placed has a collision with another. In practice. any

suitable type of brackets 12 or attaching fixtures will be employed for mounting the bumper on the automobile chassis.

It is to be stated here that it is desirable, but not essential. to design both the pneumatic cushion and its supporting and clamping rim so that it is curved to an extent to render the bumper more or less artistic and to position the ends closer to the front wheels and to space the center away from the radiator to give more room for crankmg.

The several advantages and features derived from a bumper of the construction set forth are doubtless obvious, as is the man ner of assembling the parts and manner of mounting the device upon the-automobile. ln vie-av of this, a more lengthy and detailed description is thought unnecessary.

Since probably the best results a. may be obtained with the construction and arrangement herein shown and described, this is taken as the preferred. embodiment of the invention. However,.I wish it to be understood that minor changes coming within the scope of the invention as claimed may be resorted to if desired.

1 claim:

'1. An automobile bumper comprising an elongated cushion equipped at its opposite ends with pockets and also formed with a rib and a rim composed of sections bet-ween which said rib is clamped, the ends of said sections being received in said pockets.

.2.'In an automobile bumper, a cushion I equipped with a rib having its outer faces inclined, and a rim having flanges engagmg said lnchned faces of the rub, sald rlm being also equipped with inwardly directed beve ed portions arranged inoverlapping relation, said portions being disposed at acute angles to the flanges to permit the latter to engage the inclined faces of the rib.

3. An automobile bumper comprising a pneumatic cushion'including an inflated air tube and a casing provided at its ends with pockets, said casing being also equipped along one side with a longitudinal rib, a

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand. 1

COOPER DAVE KUNKEL. 

